OT: which 12 guage?

i'd go with the 870 any day. i've had mine 19 years now and its never failed me at any time in any conditions. had many many successful hunts with it.
 
I have both, the 870 is probably better built, but the mossberg is a little smoother and has a few plastic parts. Which to buy depends on the price, I paid less than $200 each for mine used. It's hard to wear either one out unless you shoot competition.
Greg
 
Honestly, neither....I would go buy an Ithaca 37, but because isn't a choice, I would go with Mossberg. I've heard Remington quality has slipped some, but i own neither, so I cannot say one way or another.

bob
 
Both are good reliable pumps. With some people it comes down to the safety. Some like a tang safety-Mossberg and some like the crossbolt on the trigger guard-Remington.
 
If you can't have a benelli then go with the 870. one in the family for 20 years and never had a problem with it. The 500 never was much of a gun in my book!
 
It is your preference. My nephew gives me a hard time about using a "cheap azz" Mossberg. But the bottom line is, my Mossberg 500 will kill a deer just as dead as his Remington 870. Love that 500. BTW, mine is a 20 ga.
 
The 500 never was much of a gun in my book!

please explain...I have owned a 500 and I have an 870. I don't understand why you would say the 500 was never much of a gun. The one I had worked just as good as my 870. Gave it to my brother, he's still using it.
 
Definitly check out the model 37 Ithaca. They are now made by a relativly new company in Ohio. They are precicely machined, have a very smooth action,and are bottom eject.
 
I believe the military uses the 500.

I think either would be a good choice.

They go click, clack, boom, end of story.
 
Happy owner of a Mossberg 500 12 ga since 1986. It came with a mod choke barrel and I bought a slug barrel for it also. It has dropped many geese, pheasants, and deer. I don't hunt much anymore but my son has been using it for turkey and deer hunting for the last two years. It's been very dependable.
 
I would have to ask what you going to do with it??? For hunting the 870 but if for home defense the 500. I think from what I have seen there are more optional add on stuff for the Mossberg and plus cheaper. Both are good all around shotguns. Also I think the Mossberg would be cheaper up front
 
I bought my first 500 in 1970 and in use since. Dropped it overboard many times when duck hunting and has always worked perfect. My grandson uses it now since I bought a new one 5 years ago that had the 18 inch barrel and pistol grip add on.
 
I like my Mossberg, but have never owned an 870 so can't make a comparison. I have friends with 870's and never heard a complaint about them.
 
both are good guns,it depends what you what to use it for. i have both and there is one thing i like on the mossberg better than the 870 for hunting is the safety for the mossburg in on top of the gun, it is better to use when you have winter gloves on. my 2 cents
 
I've never owned either gun, but I have friends who have. Never heard a complaint about the 870's; but on the Mossberg, when using slugs my buddy calls it "the gun that kills on both ends."
 
I've never owned either gun, but I have friends who have. Never heard a complaint about the 870's; but on the Mossberg, when using slugs my buddy calls it "the gun that kills on both ends."
 
I have a 500. They are like the old Chevrolet of shotguns; Ubiquitous, inexpensive, reliable, get you where you want to go, and everyone and their brother makes accessories for them
 
Either one will do fine as long as they are in good shape. I've repaired a lot of both. I'd prefer and older 870 to the new ones. But then I'd go find an old Ithaca before I took home either the Rem or Moss.
 
In 12 gauge I would lean towards the Mossberg, because the safety is in the right spot. Other pluses is the Mossberg uses the same choke tubes as many others, Rem-choke is proprietary.

In 20 I would go to the Remington as it is actually on a 20 ga sized frame(particularly on the youth/bantam sized guns).

In 410 I would go back to the Mossberg, as they have an even smaller frame for them.
 

I have an 870 I bought used from a buddy. I sighted in the scope and then bought a box of 5 slugs for deer. That was four years and three deer ago - I have two shells left in the box. This year there were no deer in my woods. I like the gun.
 
Both are good guns. The 870 were all steel and maybe still are. The Mossberg have alum. receiver but they will hold up fine.
I perfer the tang mounted saftey on the Mossbergs. I also like that they don't have a flipper in the loading port. You can easily get one shell in or out at a time without having them all come flying out onto the ground !
I had an 870 but it was stocked longer and had a longer barrel and it didn't fit me as good.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I do like the looks of the Model 37 Ithaca for those who suggested it, but at $850 its a bit pricey for what I want. Maybe I'll look for a used one, but think the two I mentioned would be fine for my limited use in the field and Sunday afternoon clay shooting.
 
Second that old ithicas are the best gun made... We
have a couple sets of the 37's, My deer gun is one
my dad bought in the 70's with an old weaver scope
and deerslayer barrel. He shot his first buck with
it and so did I.. Taken a lot of deer with it..
 
Cummins man.......I have a Mossberg 500 "home defender". Took the "stick" outta the shell tube so now I can load 6-rounds of #7-1/2. It won't go thru 1/2" plaster board. 'nuttin' like the snick-click of a slide pump action to put the fear innna bad guy. .......Dell
 
Son and I have a couple 870's. Seem to be fine for what little shotgunning we have done. He has a slug barrel as well as a smooth bore. That being said, I've bought a couple Remington rifles that had to go back for repairs practically out of the box. Repairs not quick, one required a new barrel and new one is not as accurate as the origional. I have given up seeking out Remington for any further purchses.
 
i have an 870 and like the gun. no problems. buddy of mine bought a new mossberg couple years ago. right around 300 dollars. the gun store had a ton of accessories available for that gun, in stock!! extra barrels, stocks, every kind of doo-dad you could imagine, and they were not spendy either. i really like his mossberg, nice shootin gun too. either would be a good choice.
 
Both guns will work fine for you under normal use and you will have to decide which safety you will like. If you were going to put thousands and thousands of rounds of ammo through it I would go with the steel receivered 870. There are also other manufacture out there that make 12 gauge pumps that will hold up just as good under normal use.
 
Decision made. Local Gun store had a demo Mossberg 835 Ulti-Mag. Only had one shell shot thru it. Got it for $300, which I thought was a good price on a $450 gun that is just like new out of the box! Like the bottom eject, the safety on the top and seems to be well balanced.
 
I have both, I prefer the Mossberg hands down, like the safety, the unloader location, the Mossberg was also cheaper priced, may not be anymore, but I like the Mossberg 500. I can"t stand semi auto shotguns though, sometimes they only work with expensive ammo. J
 
They must have made some changes to the 835, mine is side eject with ported barrel. I can swing it up and fire it like a pistol with 3" magnum buckshot.
 
(quoted from post at 14:21:06 01/15/13) Cummins man.......I have a Mossberg 500 "home defender". Took the "stick" outta the shell tube so now I can load 6-rounds of #7-1/2. It won't go thru 1/2" plaster board. 'nuttin' like the snick-click of a slide pump action to put the fear innna bad guy. .......Dell

At what range do you think bird shot will not penetrate 1/2" drywall???? :roll:
The shot column will certainly clear at least the first wall it encounters within the confines of an average sized room.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top